Public Relations Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Public Relations Intern jobs in District of Columbia concentrate in federal government affairs, nonprofit advocacy, and political communications, making D.C. one of the most active markets in the country for early-career PR talent at every level from college junior to recent graduate. Most openings are in Washington proper, where well-known employers such as APCO Worldwide, Weber Shandwick, and the American Red Cross maintain a lasting presence and hire interns regularly. The most in-demand specialties are media relations, crisis communications, and public affairs outreach. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Title: Prospect Research Associate, Donor Relations
Reports to: Director, Development Strategy
Job Summary: The Prospect Research Associate coordinates prospect research efforts across the Development team and helps manage the constituent data used to determine prospect feasibility. The Associate is responsible for conducting research used to identify and qualify fundraising prospects with the capacity to make major gifts, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position also ensures ongoing donor pipeline maintenance and management to and from all levels of giving and monitors prospect pools for opportunities that merit attention from key stakeholders.
As a key member of the Development team, the Associate coordinates with the Development team to ensure constituent data is properly shared and accessed. This position is also responsible for producing and, where appropriate, analyzing and improving reports which monitor both departmental and individual progress toward goals. The ideal candidate must be thorough, detail-oriented, efficient, and committed to delivering a high-quality work product.
Job Duties:
- Research high net worth donor prospects and gather information regarding philanthropic interests, giving capacity, background, digital behavior and other key components.
- Prepare biographical profiles and research reports for use by gift officers, Development leadership, and other key leaders and staff involved in major gift fundraising.
- Maintain a process for the allocation of research responsibilities to ensure accurate profiles.
- Source prospects by scanning new sources and journals and utilizing software for organizations and individuals who align with strategic priorities.
- Support the review of gift officer caseloads in coordination with the Assistant Director.
- Work closely with the Data Services Manager to complete and review all Donor Relations reporting, answer requests from top leadership, and service gift officers and events with research needs.
- Regularly review and improve the major and principal gift pipeline; participate in pipeline management meetings to review progress toward overall fundraising goals.
- Undertake pipeline building activities, identifying sources of individual, corporate, and foundation support to match fundraising initiatives.
- Ensure information on donors and prospects is up-to-date, accurate, and properly documented.
- Remain current and fully informed on prospect research trends and available resources.
- Support the Data Services Manager with applicable reports and analysis.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree required
Experience: 2+ years of experience in fundraising, prospect research, major gift fundraising, or related field; experience within a development or other fundraising team preferred
Communication: Excellent communication skills and collaborative mindset
Technology: Skilled in Microsoft Office applications, as well as CRM usage or a
willingness to learn; comfortable with computer and query logic preferred; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel highly preferred
Other Requirements:
- Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives.
- Ability to thoroughly investigate, analyze, and articulate the needs and interests of major gift prospects.
- Demonstrated record of efficiency and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Collaborative mindset and team focused.
- Comfortable with AI usage, but willing to adhere to strict guidelines for accuracy, data security, organizational safety, and data integrity.
- Trustworthy with sensitive information.
- Efficient and able to meet deadlines with short turn-around times.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Benefits and Salary:
The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.
The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $70,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.
Title: Prospect Research Associate, Donor Relations
Reports to: Director, Development Strategy
Job Summary: The Prospect Research Associate coordinates prospect research efforts across the Development team and helps manage the constituent data used to determine prospect feasibility. The Associate is responsible for conducting research used to identify and qualify fundraising prospects with the capacity to make major gifts, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position also ensures ongoing donor pipeline maintenance and management to and from all levels of giving and monitors prospect pools for opportunities that merit attention from key stakeholders.
As a key member of the Development team, the Associate coordinates with the Development team to ensure constituent data is properly shared and accessed. This position is also responsible for producing and, where appropriate, analyzing and improving reports which monitor both departmental and individual progress toward goals. The ideal candidate must be thorough, detail-oriented, efficient, and committed to delivering a high-quality work product.
Job Duties:
- Research high net worth donor prospects and gather information regarding philanthropic interests, giving capacity, background, digital behavior and other key components.
- Prepare biographical profiles and research reports for use by gift officers, Development leadership, and other key leaders and staff involved in major gift fundraising.
- Maintain a process for the allocation of research responsibilities to ensure accurate profiles.
- Source prospects by scanning new sources and journals and utilizing software for organizations and individuals who align with strategic priorities.
- Support the review of gift officer caseloads in coordination with the Assistant Director.
- Work closely with the Data Services Manager to complete and review all Donor Relations reporting, answer requests from top leadership, and service gift officers and events with research needs.
- Regularly review and improve the major and principal gift pipeline; participate in pipeline management meetings to review progress toward overall fundraising goals.
- Undertake pipeline building activities, identifying sources of individual, corporate, and foundation support to match fundraising initiatives.
- Ensure information on donors and prospects is up-to-date, accurate, and properly documented.
- Remain current and fully informed on prospect research trends and available resources.
- Support the Data Services Manager with applicable reports and analysis.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree required
Experience: 2+ years of experience in fundraising, prospect research, major gift fundraising, or related field; experience within a development or other fundraising team preferred
Communication: Excellent communication skills and collaborative mindset
Technology: Skilled in Microsoft Office applications, as well as CRM usage or a
willingness to learn; comfortable with computer and query logic preferred; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel highly preferred
Other Requirements:
- Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives.
- Ability to thoroughly investigate, analyze, and articulate the needs and interests of major gift prospects.
- Demonstrated record of efficiency and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Collaborative mindset and team focused.
- Comfortable with AI usage, but willing to adhere to strict guidelines for accuracy, data security, organizational safety, and data integrity.
- Trustworthy with sensitive information.
- Efficient and able to meet deadlines with short turn-around times.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Benefits and Salary:
The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.
The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $70,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.
See All 44 Public Relations Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Public Relations Intern JobsPublic Relations Intern Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Relations Intern Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Fintech
- Education
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public relations intern jobs across District of Columbia.
- Currently enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or journalism
- Strong written and verbal communication skills demonstrated through coursework or prior experience
- Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press release drafting, and pitching reporters
- Experience with social media management and digital content creation for organizational accounts
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple assignments under tight deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn industry-standard PR platforms
Public Relations Intern Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public relations intern in District of Columbia?
Public relations internships in D.C. do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently expect candidates to be enrolled in or have completed a communications, journalism, or public relations degree program. D.C.'s dense concentration of trade associations, federal agencies, and advocacy organizations means internship candidates who can demonstrate media relations or public affairs coursework have a clear advantage. Building a portfolio of writing samples before applying significantly strengthens any application.
Which companies hire public relations interns in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia public relations intern roles are posted by The Heritage Foundation, Council On Foreign Relations, and The Catholic University of America and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. D.C.'s unique mix of government affairs firms, national nonprofits, and global communications agencies means hiring activity stays consistent across the year, not just during traditional internship cycles.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most public relations intern jobs?
Washington and Foggy Bottom have the most public relations intern openings in District of Columbia. Washington itself drives the overwhelming majority of demand, anchored by the density of federal agencies, lobbying firms, and national membership organizations headquartered there, while nearby areas like Bethesda and Arlington draw openings from health policy groups and defense-adjacent communications teams.
Are there remote public relations intern jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many entry-level roles. About 81% of public relations intern openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on writing, media monitoring, and digital outreach. Media relations and content creation tasks transfer well to remote arrangements, while on-site intern days are most common when events, press briefings, or coalition meetings are involved.
How can I get hired as a public relations intern in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to internship programs run directly by D.C.-based nonprofits, trade associations, and government affairs firms, which routinely hire candidates with no prior professional experience if their writing samples are strong. Organizations like national advocacy groups and federal agency communications offices post structured intern cohorts each semester. Volunteering to write for a campus publication or a local D.C. community organization, then packaging those clips as a portfolio, is the single most effective credential substitute for candidates without a formal PR background.
Where can I find and apply to public relations intern jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to public relations intern jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current D.C. openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and availability, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 44 Public Relations Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Relations Intern Jobs